Chapter Seven
"Where is she?" I shout for the millionth time. "Khara?"
My heart pangs in sorrow as the name escapes my mouth. Fiercely, I push the Templar locked in my grasp harder against the wall of a deserted alley. The man once again gives the same answer that he has been stating to my every question.
"I don't know," he says confidently, steel blue eyes emotionless.
I feel an unwelcome knot in my stomach and the pain of the whole ordeal rushes back to me – including convincing Khara to trust me only to prove myself wrong. I had ruined everything so easily. I was too careless, thinking that no one would be watching me, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
"You know what I'm talking about," I snarl back, but I don't feel convincing at all. A tear attempts to escape my eye as I think of my mistakes but I stop it in time, determined not to crack. The Templar stares back at me blankly.
"I don't know."
Angrily I bring my fist down onto his motionless face. The Templar doesn't seem to experience pain and stays silent as regret pours out of me in the form of ferocious punches. Panting slightly from the effort, I lock eyes with the man and draw out my hidden blade. The metal shimmers in the sunlight faintly as I hold it against his neck.
"I ask you one more time. Tell me where Khara is."
The threat doesn't seem to take a negative effect on the Templar. Instead of flinching at the sight of the sharpened edges of my weapon, he starts to laugh, the sound sending chills down my spine. It's the first emotion that I've seen him express.
"You may be an assassin but I know you won't kill me."
My mind agrees slightly with his words but I push them away, determined to not be seen as vulnerable. Instead I press the blade harder against the Templar's skin, but still not enough to draw blood.
"I will, if I need to. Now give me some real answers. Tell me where she is or I will send this blade plunging into your neck."
My words shake slightly but I ignore it, hoping that the man doesn't realise how conflicted my emotions are. But the Templar notices and smiles mockingly at me, shedding his impassive persona.
"I could reveal where your dear Khara is. But I won't. No one will. You can kill as much of us as you can, which you obviously are in no state to do. But you'll never find her."
I stay silent but my heart beats faster in my chest. He knows where she is. I press the blade further onto his skin, the thought of seeing Khara again powering my actions.
"Tell me where she is or I will kill you now."
A trickle of blood runs down the man's neck but he continues to simply stand with an insulting smile on his face.
"Kill me now then," he taunts as I struggle with the ache in my heart. "Kill me."
I look back at the blade that I'd so ruthlessly drawn upon this man's neck. Templar or not, my anger had gotten the better of me. But he deserves it, a side of me retorts. He took away your Khara.
You haven't even gotten an answer out of him yet, the rational side of me counters back. How will you ever find her if you kill someone who knows where she is?
He might be lying. He deserves to die.
He deserves a chance to live.
He said you wouldn't find her. Kill him now. Find someone who will cooperate.
Don't. Don't do it. You're not a ruthless murderer.
I hesitate for a second, my blade hovering over his neck, but it's just enough. Before I can react, the man draws out his sword and sends the blade across my chest, leaving a deep gash. Disorientated, I curse softly under my breath as I hit the floor. My back protests at the heavy landing while crimson blood seeps through my white robes. I had failed, again. Twice I'd let my guard down. Twice I'd paid the price.
"I knew you couldn't do it."
The words scorn me as I press my right hand against the cut and wince in pain. My hidden blade lies unused on my left arm, silently taunting my lack of confidence and how easily I was distracted. Obviously pleased, the Templar starts to walk away. I faintly see a russet brown eagle swooping overhead as my eyesight distorts and the world turns black.
"Goodbye assassin."